Helpful Product Recommendations
These product recommendations are shared as helpful tools that families and professionals often find useful. ASL Up Network does not sell products directly; we curate resources that align with our mission of supporting language access, learning, and family connection.
Affiliate Disclosure: ASL Up Network participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means ASL Up Network may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. These recommendations support our mission and are based on commonly requested resources.
Books by Deaf Authors
Children’s Books
"The Blue Starfish" is a delightful tale of the beauty of embracing one's uniqueness. Through engaging storytelling and enchanting illustrations, toddlers and young readers will be captivated by Bluey's underwater escapades, learning valuable lessons about the strength found in diversity and the extraordinary power of being true to oneself. Join Bluey and their starfish companions on an oceanic adventure that proves that sometimes, it's our differences that make us truly extraordinary.
"Daisy Doo" is a heartwarming book that takes readers on a journey through a child's perseverance in the face of hearing loss. Join the spirited Daisy Doo as she discovers the beauty of her favorite sounds once again, thanks to a cochlear implant! Through the pages of this tale, children and adults will learn to cherish the sound of life and embrace the magic of being uniquely themselves.
Go on an adventure with Winnie and her gramma as they WASH all day long!
The first in a series, this full-color book will delight children and adults alike as they discover that a word can have multiple signs and meanings. Each page is beautifully illustrated, incorporating cultural and linguistic aspects. At the end of the book are illustrations demonstrating the many ways to sign WASH for different contexts.
Adult Books
In Alone in the Mainstream, author Gina A. Oliva documents her experience as a “solitaire,” the only deaf or hard of hearing student in her school. Oliva felt alone because she couldn’t communicate easily with her classmates and because she had no peers who shared a similar experience. As an adult, when she began her career at Gallaudet University, she realized that she wasn’t alone and that her experience was widely shared with other mainstreamed students. She decided to write about this commonality and invited other solitaires to reflect on their own experiences in emails and essays. Collective themes of isolation, low expectations, and low self-esteem emerged. Alone in the Mainstream blends Oliva’s personal narrative with the reflections of sixty other solitaires and makes the case that deaf and hard of hearing children need each other.
Everyone is given a unique gift in life—but too many of us never unwrap the package. Unwrapping Your Passion is your guide to shaking up the status quo and getting down to the essence of who you are, what you love, and the passion that will drive your life forward.
Enter the magical Singing Dragonfly, a wise and benevolent mentor. The Singing Dragonfly teaches how niceness and kindness attract more friends.
"The Delightful Dragonfly" is a celebration of the inherent goodness within us and the transformative influence of a positive attitude.
Gramma takes Winnie on a surprise trip, and what begins as a simple walk becomes a heartwarming adventure full of discovery, connection, and joy.
Along the way, readers enjoy vibrant illustrations, playful storytelling, and a closer look at the many ways to sign LEFT in American Sign Language.
This beautifully illustrated book, the second in this series, reminds us that surprises come in all shapes, sizes, and meanings.
It starts with a dream. A passion. A fire inside. "The Passionate Lives of Deaf and Hard of Hearing People," features stories of deaf and hard of hearing people doing what they love to do. They've climbed mountains, raced cars, championed causes, traveled the world, and more. Foreword by Dr. Glenn Anderson Featuring Greg Gunderson, Amy Duarte, Brenda Stoltz, I. King Jordan, Melody and Russ Stein, Heidi Zimmer, Jonathan Nicoll, Joel Barish, Sofia Seitchik, Tate Tullier, Thomas McDavitt, Karen Meyer, Mojo Mathers, Adrean Clark, Kathy Buckley, Sean Forbes, Mark Levin, Kevin DeSilva, Ann Meehan, CJ Jones, Tina Childress, Ron Cuartero, Jay Blumenfeld and Howard Rosenblum.
Event Materials
The following materials are used in ASL Up Network events. Participants are encouraged, but not required, to have access to these items in order to participate in the workshops.
Knitting for Dogs
This book will be used as part of our March 28th event, providing a shared text and hands-on learning experience for participants. Knitting for Dogs offers an engaging, creative way to connect around literacy, discussion, and creative skill-building in a relaxed, supportive setting.
Scissors
A standard pair of household or craft scissors is recommended for cutting cotton fabric during this activity. Child-safe scissors may not be effective for heavier materials.
👉 View on Amazon - Adult scissors
👉 View on Amazon - Child safe scissors
Mod Podge Matte (Glue, Sealer & Finish)
Mod Podge Matte is used during the hands-on craft activity to adhere card stock or light cardboard to fabric for our March 28th event. This all-in-one formula works well on paper and fabric, dries clear, and is easy to clean up, making it suitable for group crafting.
Crayola Washable Markers (Broad Line)
Washable markers are used to decorate the star on participants’ capes during the March 28th event. Broad-line markers work well on card stock and allow for bold designs while remaining easy to clean up, making them ideal for family and group activities.
Red T-Shirt
A plain red cotton T-shirt is used as part of the hands-on craft activity for our March 28th event. This option provides a simple, durable base that works well for crafting. Participants may use a similar red T-shirt they already have if preferred.
Card Stock (White or Colored)
Card stock is used for cutting a star shape as part of the hands-on craft activity during our March 28th event. Participants may choose white or colored card stock based on preference. Similar materials may also be used if already available at home. Child-safe scissors are suitable for cutting card stock during this activity. Adult assistance may be helpful for younger participants or thicker materials.
Foam Paint Brushes (1-inch)
Foam paint brushes are used to apply Mod Podge evenly during the hands-on craft activity for our March 28th event. These sponge brushes help spread adhesive smoothly and reduce mess, making them well suited for group and family crafting.